Welcome to Michael’s Blog!

Welcome to Michael's blog. Michael Andrew, (aka Michael The Maven) is a freelance producer, photography instructor, tech innovator, and when needed, disaster aid specialist. Disclaimer: Michael is a participant in Bhphoto & Amazon affiliate programs that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through links on this website.

This one is for you DK. Thank you for continuing to check in. Yes, I am very sad about not being able to attend movies as per my usual friday afternoon, but something else wonderful happened. I started reading again, and I am enjoying it very much. There is something about a real paper book in your hands. Maybe Ill share some of those soon.

Netflix has a good action thriller that I hadn't seen or heard of before, called Den of Thieves. Its basically a Point Break + Heat type of film. It was solid! If you like either of those two movies you will enjoy this!

Im alive and will have more coming soon. Lots of VERY exciting things happening

I hope every one is being safe! I recently watched with awe at the announcement of the XT4 how many said it having a flippy monitor was a "dealbreaker". I couldn't wrap my mind around this. Who wouldnt love a flippy monitor? Well one group in particular: mostly photographers. In a poll with over 400 respondents, 18% said tilty was more usable than flippy, which to me sounds CRAZY. My guess is most of them are not videographers, so...with this in mind, Im asking for your help with a new poll:

So my love affair of going to the movie theater on Friday afternoons appears to be over for a while. I have a background in genetics, as well as 9 disaster deployments. All the numbers and everything Ive researched (for days) says this is real and if you aren't at that point yet, please take it seriously.

It isnt so much about the young and strong getting sick and dying, its more about spreading it to those who are vulnerable, the older generations, those with weakened immune systems and respiratory issues like asthma, They are at far greater risk. Its going to be very different for the next couple weeks, but we will be a better world on the other side of it no doubt.

Because of this, a movie I would STRONGLY recommend is Contagion. It is a very instructive of the challenges and issues the world would / is facing, but most importantly, how human behavior can change very quickly once in a disaster situation. Its one of Steven Sodenburgs best films.

As for me, I am hunkered down in self isolation for the last week or so, and will continue with my normal work. Lots of great videos and books (yes two!) and kickstarters coming.

If you saw the recent rumor about a 150 MP sensor coming for as a full frame, high resolution option coming in the near future, I can pretty much tell you it isn't coming anytime soon to the masses. Does such a sensor exist? Likely. But just existing or having special applications doesn't mean it will be in a FF camera for the general public any time soon, and the reason is, its only half of the system. It's far more likely we would see a 75-80 MP camera first.

#LensResolvingPower #Canon150MPSensor #Canon

The Basics Of Diffraction and Airy Disks | How Sensors Out Resolve Lenses | Physics of Pixel Pitch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MItl-ins56w&t=1s

I have received many requests to investigate this problem with Fuji lenses in that when you zoom during video there are slight Exposure shifts at certain focal lengths. This is most likely the culprit.

Most people are surprised when they find out I am a hard core introvert "you do so well on your youtube channel". It can be very stressful for introverts to get started, and there was one breakthrough, and very easy tip that literally changed my life about being in front of a camera I wanted to share with my fellow introvert brothers and sisters! Enjoy!

I’ve had 3 sell outs on my new #mavenminimic but was never a fan of the camera mount that came with it, so I designed a new shock mount, and combined it with a dual cold shoe mount I made a while ago. The tension clip is very fast, not the screw type, made of PETG & 100% replaceable if it wears out it breaks. The mic is suspended with two rubber o rings, and you can still add two additional accessories, like a second mic and a light. Will work with any mini mic including the #rodevideomicro - I’ll have a promo for these coming soon - dm me if interested!

This is the first of a series of videos discussing the best beginner microphone, under $50 for 2020. There is a long history to it, and this microphone was the winner of blind sound test. I hadn't heard of the company and did a lot of research to bring it to the spotlight. This video is a basic introduction to the Maven Mini Microphone, and some of the reasons I no longer recommend the Rode Video Pro, I will have some follow up videos discussing the challenges of recording in camera, preamps, workflow and other topics, so I know many of you will want side by side tests, those have been recorded and are coming soon. Thank you!

Here is the limited offer on the Maven Mini Mic:

Look for the coupon box when checking out on Amazon, it will save you 60% for a limited time only!